Seven Reasons Why It’s Not Your Fault You’re Overweight

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple years, you most definitely have heard of Nicole Arbor and her infamous “Dear Fat People” rant. If you haven’t, although I don’t enjoy giving this lady even more clicks, here it is for your viewing pleasure:

When this video first offended our delicate eyes and earballs, it blew up and became viral immediately. Why? Because people were pissed that’s why.

She claimed the video was a satire, meant to hopefully empower people to eat less and exercise more (lolz). But here’s the thing Nicole, if you need to explain that something was a joke, and blame others for not “getting” your dumb joke, IT’S NOT A JOKE.

Ok, that’s enough talk about someone trying to be funny and just completely missing the mark. So why do I bring her up?

People Don’t Like Fat People

Currently, the seemingly last (although there may be more I’m not thinking of) prejudice that is not only acceptable but also kinda encouraged, is the one against overweight/obese people. With our country so drastically divided on the political front, it seems pretty united on a few beliefs about overweight folk:

It’s all their fault

They just need to eat less and exercise more

They’re lazy

They’re gluttonous scum

The more we yell at them about how much they suck, the more likely they are to get thin

Most people don’t even know where their own spleen is located, yet they feel like they’re an expert on the human body in regards to fat loss.

In my extensive years of researching health and nutrition, I have come across many reasons as to why people could be overweight that has ZERO to do with how much they eat or exercise. I want to share this info for two reasons:

To educate those who are prejudice against overweight people.

To potentially help/give comfort to those who are not able to lose weight even though they’re doing everything “right.”

Now before I get into the nitty gritty, let me preface this by saying that yes, there are definitely people who are lazy, gluttonous, and don’t care to eat healthy who are overweight. I am not talking about those people today folks!

So…Let’s Get Started!

Reason #1: Your Gut is Borked

This is an incredible new science, and I don’t want to get too detailed here, but it’s a perfect example of how there may be microscopic, crazy things going on in our bodies we’re barely beginning to understand.

humano-normal.deviantart.com/

Numerous studies have found that the bacteria in our gut can influence whether we’re overweight (among 10k other things). Overweight/obese people have been found to have specific differences in their gut bacteria in comparison to those who are not overweight. The debate rages on about which type of bacteria causes obesity, but so far studies are pointing towards firmicutes being the culprit. There have also been links between low diversity of gut bacteria and obesity.

Another study introduced bacteria from the intestines of fat mice into the intestines of thin mice. Without any change in diet, caloric intake, or exercise, the previously thin mice became obese. This is a perfect example of how bacteria can override so many factors and make you fat. It’s fat magic!

Poor, whittle, fat mouse…

Then there was this shocking case where a woman received a fecal microbiota transplant (yes, this happens and it’s pretty freaking amazing and saves lives) from her daughter (who was overweight) to cure her of C. difficile (a life-threatening, antibiotic-resistant bacteria). Before the transplant she weighed 136 lbs and never had a weight problem. Three years after the transplant she was 177 lbs. and classified as obese based on her BMI. This gain occurred despite being on a medically supervised liquid protein diet and exercise program.

What you gotta say now you fat shamers and calories in/calories out jerkfaces??? What? NOTHING?

Reason #2: Antibiotic Use

Everyone knows we are overusing antibiotics. But what are the repercussions? Screwed…up…microbiomes (the delicate eco-system of bacteria that reside in your body).

Antibiotics have saved millions of lives, but with every positive comes a negative. While antibiotics save us by slaughtering pathogenic bacteria, they also slaughter the bacteria that protects us. Most antibiotics are like justice: totally blind yo. They don’t care who you are, or what your story is; if you are bacteria, you is gonna die. Most doctors and scientists agree that antibiotics screw with your gut in a negative way.

But did you know that a side effect of antibiotic use is weight gain? The meat and poultry industry has known this for years! This is why they give antibiotics to their animals. In some cases it is to prevent disease (because they raise these poor animals in disgusting environments), but it’s mostly to promote growth, a.k.a. MAKE THEM FATTER. Luckily, the use of antibiotics to fatten up animals was finally banned by the FDA in 2017.

Reason #3: Hormonal Issues

Omg, there are so many that I’m just going to list a few. Overall, we don’t realize how much our hormones can keep us from losing weight. And by this I mean that you could eat your perfect amount of calories, nothing but healthy food, exercise like a champ, and you’ll still put on weight.

I will list the issues here and link to in-depth explanations as opposed to writing about each one. Otherwise this post will become a book!

Have we shut up the haters yet? Oh, what’s that you say? You STILL don’t believe me? Well here are more reasons then…

Reason # 6: Food Intolerance/sensitivity

Let’s get one thing straight: There’s a huge difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance. A food allergy is pretty severe, involves the immune system, and in some cases, can send you to the hospital. A food intolerance/sensitivity is something your body isn’t fond of or isn’t sure how to digest, so it can cause slow-building, long-term consequences (usually to your digestive system) as opposed to anaphylactic shock.